Buying
· 5 min read
The five questions to ask before you fall for a kitchen
Kitchens sell houses. Here is what to check before one sells you.
IH
Imogen Hale
Partner, buying
A beautiful kitchen has closed more deals than any survey. It has also hidden a few expensive surprises. Here are the five questions we ask before anyone gets emotional.
1. Where does the extraction go?
If the cooker hood recirculates instead of venting outside, you are paying for a very expensive plant mister. Ask to see the duct.
2. When were the pipes last touched?
New counters hide old plumbing. Ask the age of the supply lines and whether the work was permitted.
3. Is the layout load-bearing?
That lovely open plan may be held up by a temporary beam. Ask for the engineer’s letter.
Kitchens sell houses. Make sure it is the kitchen you are buying and not the staging.
4. What stays?
Appliances, lighting and the very good island are often negotiable. Get the list in writing.
5. What would you change?
Ask the owner. They always have an answer, and it is usually the most useful sentence in the viewing.
